Mexican economy slowed to 3.9 pct growth in 2011

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government says the country's economy grew 3.9 percent in 2011, a slower rise than in the previous year. The slower growth rate was in line with official predictions.

Mexico's gross domestic product shrank a record 6.2 percent in 2009 with the onset of the global financial crisis, then recovered in 2010 with growth of 5.5 percent.

The National Statistics, Geography and Information Institute said Thursday that Mexico's farming and ranching output decreased last year, but industrial and commercial growth offset that and produced a gain for the overall economy.

Mexico's central bank had predicted a growth rate between 3.5 percent and 4 percent for 2011.